Where to Sleep in Izmir?

Want to discover Turkey and have you chosen Izmir for your next vacation? The third largest city in the country, Izmir has many charms with its beach resorts, historic monuments, and charming neighborhoods! But to ensure you have a great stay, you're probably wondering where to sleep in Izmir? In this guide, I'll give you an overview of the neighborhoods to target. And to save you as much time as possible in your search, I also share a selection of the best hotel addresses available

To get the best out of your stay in Turkey, I suggest sleeping in the most central neighborhoods of Izmir, especially the historic center. Here you'll find the major attractions of the city, along with great proximity to restaurants, cafes, and shops in the area

Thus, it's best to target the Konak area which encompasses all the central neighborhoods. Among these neighborhoods, one stands out in particular, Alsancak, the trendiest! This area features a wide variety of accommodations suitable for all budgets and is well served by public transportation

If you decide to stay in an authentic setting, you will need to venture away from the center of Izmir. However, this is not the solution I would recommend at first, as accommodation options are rarer and you will have a harder time reaching downtown daily. Stay as central as possible!

If you do not have the desire or time to read this article to the end, I have prepared a selection of the best places to sleep in Izmir mentioned in this article

In truth, Konak is not really a neighborhood, but rather a very large district. However, it is clearly the area you should target when searching for accommodation in Izmir! It includes the Kordonboyu and Alsancak neighborhoods, which I will discuss in this post, and is considered the historic center of the city

The Konak district is the most populated district in the city. It is both the economic and administrative epicenter of Izmir, attracting many tourists every year for its ideal location. Centrally located, this is where you'll enjoy the city's activities, shops, bars, restaurants, and points of interest.

Within its many neighborhoods, particularly Alsancak, the trendiest, you can enjoy Izmir's nightlife. This area is filled with trendy bars and clubs for partying in Turkey!

If you do not know what to do in Izmir in the Konak neighborhood, you can head to Konak Square, dominated by the Clock Tower. Standing 25 meters tall, this is the symbol of the city, erected in 1901 during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II and designed by a French architect.

There is also the Konak Mosque, also known as Yali Mosque, a beautiful building located near the governor's residence. This architectural marvel in octagonal shape was inaugurated in 1774! I also suggest adding a visit to the Kemeralti market as a complement, a popular meeting place. There are plenty of other sites to add to your itinerary! If you don't know what activities to do in Izmir, embark on discovering the ruins dating back to the Roman era at the Agora Museum.

Unsurprisingly, accommodations are plentiful in the Konak district. You can find all types of establishments, from budget hotels to more luxurious and exclusive options ️

The Deka Evleri is just 3 minutes from the Izmir Fair Park and close to the train station. It offers large fully equipped apartments with a private kitchen. You will be welcomed by a very helpful and friendly host For a night, plan to spend at least €70.

The Agora Old Town Hotel & Bazaar is a very pleasant and well-decorated hotel that offers spacious, modern rooms. The establishment is located in the old town, just steps from the Izmir market. It has a bar, restaurant, garden, and shared lounge. Expect to pay from €124 a night with breakfast

The Oglakcioglu Park Boutique Hotel allows you to quickly reach the marina and the bazaar on foot, with a location close to the train station as well. The rooms are comfortable and available starting at €96 a night, breakfast included. Car rental and excursion desk services are offered.

If you are coming to Izmir to enjoy the nightlife and shopping, Alsancak is the place to stay! The neighborhood has an ideal central location just north of the promenade: a great base

Among all the neighborhoods in the Turkish city, Alsancak is by far the most lively and dynamic. It encompasses a wide variety of restaurants, bars, cafes, and clubs for going out at night. Of course, shopping malls and boutiques are abundant in this ideal neighborhood for staying in Izmir.

To enjoy the vibrant heart of this area, head to Gündogdu Square, on the promenade, an iconic meeting place frequented by both locals and tourists. This square is dominated by a tree-shaped statue erected in 2003 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

In terms of visits, you will not need to use public transportation. If you choose a well-placed hotel, you will be close to all the major tourist attractions! Among the notable sites in this neighborhood: the Atatürk Museum, founded by Turkey's first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a revolutionary whose writings and personal items are displayed in this museum in his honor.

When it comes to accommodations, prices are generally reasonable! Due to its many advantages, Alsancak is an excellent place to sleep if you are coming for a vacation in Izmir

The Balca Hotel offers very nice well-decorated and comfortable rooms, near the restaurants and shops of Izmir. From €80 a night, you will enjoy an ideal location close to a tram line, near the marina. The staff is very courteous and attentive.

The Riva Hotel Alsancak is a very modern establishment located 800 meters from the exhibition center and a 2-minute walk from the Kordon waterfront of Izmir. The rooms have smart decor and comfortable bedding. For one night, this hotel is accessible starting at €62.

The Mira Otel Alsancak is a 3-star hotel located 200 meters from the waterfront It features modern and pleasant rooms starting at €85 a night, breakfast included. The staff is welcoming, and a restaurant serving local and international dishes is available.

If this is not your first stay in Izmir, or if you are visiting Turkey with children, I suggest you sleep in the Karsiyaka neighborhood! Due to its calm and residential atmosphere, it is also an excellent base for travelers looking to stay in a more tranquil and local area

Although there are not really many tourist attractions in this neighborhood, Karsiyaka remains a charming place. There are restaurants, cafes, shops, and various other businesses that contribute greatly to its daily liveliness.

This neighborhood offers a beautiful seaside promenade from which you will need to take the ferry to reach the central areas of the city in just 20 minutes. Karsiyaka is somewhat out of the way with few accommodation options, so book as soon as possible to ensure you find something!

The Zübeyde Hanım Homes offers fully furnished and equipped functional apartments available starting at €103 a night (minimum 3 nights reservation!). Each accommodation is equipped with a balcony, a fully equipped kitchen, a large living room, and a private bathroom for maximum comfort

If I had to recommend one last area to sleep in Izmir, the Kordonboyu neighborhood is also a good option! It stands out for its beautiful multi-kilometer promenade, a perfect opportunity to take nice walks, take photos, and enjoy the beauty of the Aegean Sea

With its relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, the Kordon neighborhood in Izmir is also home to many typical restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops where you can do some shopping. You will also find the famous Clock Tower mentioned earlier in this amazing article.

Central location, pleasant atmosphere by the water, proximity to points of interest in the city, the Kordonboyu neighborhood is undoubtedly an excellent place to settle. It is also a convenient area because you can take the ferry to explore other parts of the city without stress ⛴️

The Karaca Hotel offers very large elegantly decorated rooms, available from €143 a night, breakfast included. This 4-star establishment is located just 400 meters from the Kordon waterfront and a 5-minute walk from Cumhuriyet Square. On-site, you can enjoy a movie theater, à la carte restaurant, bar, gym, spa, and sauna!

The Mövenpick Hotel Izmir is a 5-star establishment offering beautiful elegant rooms close to Cumhuriyet Square. For one night, expect to pay around €112. On-site, you can enjoy a gym, spa, restaurant, private parking, and a fantastic view of the sea!

The Zeniva Hotel offers very nice soundproofed, modern, and elegant rooms starting at €92 a night, with a buffet breakfast. You will stay just 50 meters from Cumhuriyet Square and Kordon, and a 10-minute walk from the Izmir exhibition center. The establishment also provides a restaurant, free parking, and a shuttle service to the airport

If you don't know when would be the best time to visit Izmir, I highly recommend choosing spring or fall to fully enjoy your stay in Turkey

By traveling between April and May, you will enjoy temperatures between 21 and 25 degrees and much more attractive prices in terms of flight tickets and accommodation. During spring, the weather is favorable enough to explore Izmir on foot and spend as much time outdoors as possible!

If you prefer fall, it is also a favorable season as it offers sufficiently pleasant temperatures after summer ends. If you're worried about it being too cold, you might consider visiting Turkey in September, a favorable month with beautiful summer heat ️

To get to Izmir, Turkey, flying is the mode of transportation you should choose! The city is home to the Adnan Menderes International Airport, located about 18 km south of the city center ✈️

Recently, it has become possible to fly to Izmir from New York on a direct flight. The journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes and is operated by the Turkish low-cost airline: SunExpress. If you don't mind a layover, other airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Alitalia, Lufthansa, and Swiss also offer flights. Before booking your ticket, always remember to compare prices online with Ulysse!

Now that you know which neighborhood to choose for sleeping in Izmir, I strongly recommend starting to plan your sightseeing days! And if you have the chance to visit Turkey and its major tourist sites, I suggest adding the visit to Istanbul to your program, of course! I also have a guide on the best places to sleep in Istanbul if you're interested